Woman arrested for ninth DWI

A Schenectady woman with a decades-long record of drunken driving convictions, was arrested Wednesday for a ninth time on driving while intoxicated charges after her car slammed into a telephone pole on Mohawk Avenue during a busy afternoon commute.

No serious injuries were reported in the crash. But police say Heather Higgins, 52, of Palma Avenue, had a blood alcohol content of 0.19 percent — more than double the legal limit — when the car she was driving plowed into the pole on the village’s busiest street about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Officers said they were shocked to discover that Higgins had eight prior DWI convictions — including five felonies — that stretch back three decades.

Moreover, records show she also had a valid drivers license.

“In my career, I’ve never seen someone arrested (who) had a criminal arrest (record) of DWIs like that before,” said Patrolman Thomas Feeley.

Wednesday’s arrest marked the latest chapter in the troubled life of a woman who has even spent time in prison for drunken driving, and who had lost her driving privileges for most of the past decade.

Higgins’ license was taken away after a 2002 conviction, according to the state Department of Motor Vehicles, but she got it back in November 2009.

Higgins was arraigned in village court and sent to the Schenectady County jail without bail. She is expected back in court on Tuesday.

Despite a history of felony drunken driving convictions, Higgins didn’t serve state prison time until 2006. Up until then she received a string of fines, probation and stints in local jails.

23 Responses

Unbelievable – 8 past convictions and still driving? Why do people in these “situations” with obvious alcohol addictions continue to drive? Try WALKING or call a cab (put a few $ away out of the bar tab). I will never understand the decisions these sick and selfish people make.

I know someone exactly like her. I think he has 8, at least 8 convictions and convictions for unlicensed operation. Despite all of the DWI’s and unlicensed operation convictions and him driving himself to family court, I had to endure 3 years of fighting for supervised visitation when it was blatantly obvious he had no regard for the law and couldn’t be trusted. The laws all the way around are way too lenient it’s disgusting! He now has a valid NYS driver’s license. Yup.

Please. No one cares. You know why? Most people drink. They see themselves in these people. No cop, lawyer, judge or jury wants to punish these people. Why. Because it could be them. Lawmakers are afraid for the same reason. So drink and drive all you want. Kill other people. You won’t go to jail or forever lose your license you can have your trial in a local bar and be sentenced to a year on the wiggly stool.

I wonder how many DWI’s she would have gotten if there were no liguor, and as to getting a cab, did you read she was from Rotetrdam, probably would have cost her $25 each way, thats $50 just to go out and have a few drinks, now if she went everyday thats $350 dollars a week or $1400 for a month wonder whats cheaper a DWI or or a cab.

I still wonder why Liquor and cigarettes are even legal, list one benefit from either of them besides the money the state makes off them.

We would be a LOT better off if neither of them existed in society, but as long as the government is making money they will be around.

Hey Mark, have you heard of a little time in American history called Prohibition? It didn’t work and caused more problems than it solved. It’s the ABUSE of alcohol (and drugs) that’s the problem. People like this are selfish and can’t be helped unless they want to be.

Well I must say, the State certainly failed here!! She is an alcoholic, obviously…where was all the State funded programs to help with her disease? Also, its a good thing she still has her drivers license cause her in NY we all know driving is a RIGHT not a priveledge…what a joke…when are the voters in NY going to wake up and realize who is running this state and actually vote for a change that isn’t going to cater to every “special interest” out there?

There is no crime in being addicted to alcohol. The crime is getting in a car and driving. It is a classic cognitive decision made by the person. Alcohol abuse is a decision that she is entitled to make. Getting into a car and driving is not. Stay home. Drink yourself silly. Enjoy. But get into a car and drive? Then the rules of engagement are ours.

Where is she getting the money for motor vehicles? How much money does it cost her to insure these vehicles? She has been in prison for some time and it sounds as if she is intoxicated for a lot of that time; so is she employed, and if not, who is paying for these things?

To answer number 5 – I don’t know of many benefit to smoking, but it can calm someone’s nerves. Alcohol has many benefits because it can be used in cooking, is a good compliment to a meal, and is a mild relaxant after a stressful day. There is nothing wrong with having a few drinks. A red wine every day can reduce heart attacks. Lots of people love margaritas by the beach or the pool. A cold beer after mowing the lawn tastes like heaven.

But I would concede if someone is too drunk and they crash intoa telephone pole, they should not be driving. If you are going to bar for the purpose of getting drunk, stay closer to home so a not too expensive cab or walking is not an issue. And, with people like Bloomberg who wants to ban smoking everywhere, even at home, but still wants to sell smokes, is a hypocrite, so number 5 is right, governments love the $$$.

right on mark about banning both..i do not drink i despise boozer’s and am disgusted by the fact people need a stimulation to feel good about themselves.. this woman is a digusting outrage, also the lawyer’s and judges, and law official and dwi, for letting her go so many times..now she belong’s in jail for life, obviously she has not learned or appreciated from her past convictions. i always wonder if you have to drink to feel good why is it people cannot just get a little buzz and be satisfied? why keep going until it becomes dangerous? lol half the boozer’s go to the gym to stay healthy or to church to pray for their sins but mostly show a total disrespect for themselves and their loved ones.

Why the HELL is this woman still allowed to be on the road with a valid license??!! They need to take her license away permanently, and after that, jail her for life if she is caught behind the wheel again. She has proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that she cannot handle the responsibility that comes with the privilege of having a driver’s license.

Please, PTB, get this woman off the road before she kills some innocent person.

Last I knew DWI is a chargeable conviction on one’s insurance record for 36 months and a one way ticket to the risk pool for ten years. Multiple convictions? Can you say $$$$$$$$$$$$$
I’d love to know what shes paying for insurance premiums. Oh wait, I bet she’s not! And yo all know that means for the unlucky person she will eventually maim/kill.

I know Heather & she is a big p[roblem. Watch out for, she will sdpit in your face. She doesn;t work. Her mother & father sport her. When will they learn. I’m sure her parents but her the cars & insure her on their policy. Their ins. company suld drop all of them like a hot potato..

I know Heather & she is a big problem. Watch out for her, because she will spit in your face. She doesn’t work, her mother & father support her. When will they learn. I’m sure her parents buy the cars & insure them. Her parents insurance co. should drop them like a hot potato. Her parents paid for the lawers. Lock her up & throw awau the keys